Burgundy Keeps Getting Better

So many wonderful things come from Burgundy:  wine, cheeses, escargot, cassis, regional foods, specialized pastries...I'm sure there are things we haven't discovered yet.  But we intend to keep exploring the area for more "finds."  Just the other day we tied up in Verdun-sur-le-Doubs.  Up at the top of the dock was a cheese and cassis tasting!  That's hard to beat for just stepping off the boat.  The cassis is the fruit juice you add to wine and champagne for drinks like Kir Royal.  Tom couldn't stop with one bottle, so we took three bottles back to the boat.  I've discovered adding a splash to my morning smoothies kicks up the flavor a notch.  I had to try the local dinner which was four types of fresh water fish in a wine and cream sauce.  (I didn't know about the cream)  It included cod, eel, sandia and a fish from the local river.  I'm not sure I'd have that again, but it was worth a try.

The weather is so variable.  It is hot and humid, then a storm comes thru and it becomes cool and pleasant.

I love mussels.  What better place to have them than a restaurant that ONLY serves mussels!

Take the picture so I can dig into these escargot.  Can you smell the garlic?

Our friends Jerrie and Abbott came by train from Paris to visit for an afternoon.  We had lunch and a delightful cruise up the Saone on Rabelo.

New friends Steve and Helen own the Bed and Breakfast Barge Jubilant.  We had dinner with them on Rabelo.  If you are in the area of St. Jean de Losne I can highly recommend their B and B.  You won't find friendlier hosts.  (And they speak English!)

The town of Verdun-sur-le-Doubs is built on the old fortifications.  We just walked up the dock to discover the cassis and cheese tasting.  This is truly a medieval town.

A few sights as we cruised along the Soane after leaving Verdun-sur-le-Doubs.

And then came Chalon-sur-Saone.  A city worth returning to for further exploration.  The short time we were there we saw many hotel river boats come thru.

Sunday they have a fabulous open air market beginning in the town square and going on for blocks.

The half timbered buildings are picturesque.

One of these days I'm gong to try the Paella which smelled wonderful.